disgusting, overrated, pointless

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

"Firaaq' is a non-commercial low budget movie which marks the debut of Nandita Das as a director; and with her directorial venture, she proves she's even a better film-maker than a stunning actress. The film presents the aftermath of Gujrat riots of 2002, and was also said to be banned. The story is seen through a set of characters, especially the Muslims, and their changed lives after the riots. The dialogues and the narration of the story just holds you tight to your seats; and what you see are the rewarding performances from the distinguished performers like Naserudddin Shah, Raghuvir Yadav, Nawazzudin Siddhiquie, and Deepti Naval. The only fault I felt in the movie was though the story gets mounted well, the conclusion feels a bit weak and incomplete and leaves you with a feeling that something is left out.Rating : 2 stars out of 4

The movie try to mention that one community is responsible for all the Holocust of 2002. It intentionally support and in climax it encourage that the hatred between Hindus and Muslims will be always there and both communities should always revenge each other. I am not saying whatever happen in 2002 in Gujarat was acceptable, but when someone make movie, when its gonna be on common platform than it should not generalized one sided. Movie actually try to support terrorism and making point that there always will be hatred between Hindu and Muslim.Stupid director like this should only make comedy movies, where they do not need to use their brain. Just for sake of financial success for a low budget movie, they generalized this way. Both communities ignore, the movie at all cost. It will only give you hatred for innocent people who spend their entire life working for their family. If you prefer to watch movie based on terrorism and after math, go for "A Wednesday" and "Mumbai Meri Jaan". This is total non-sense.

If I were given a chance to give out an award during this festival, then Firaaq by Nandita Das would be my choice for the best film I've seen during the festival. And it's quite amazing in itself being a first film of the accomplished Indian actress, that it's laced with sensitivity while at the same time tackling some hard issues head on that deals with the deep rooted negative human condition of hate and violence.Set against the backdrop of the aftermath of the 2002 Gujarat riots between the Hindu and Muslim communities in Gujarat, India, it's an ensemble film with a myriad of characters in multiple story threads which involves a Muslim family who returns to their home only to find it burnt by rioters, of a mixed marriage couple who has to deal with their fears and decision to leave Gujarat for Delhi, of a woman who gets haunted by the ghosts of the incident, and punishes herself for her inaction, of a group of Muslim men all flustered and planning for revenge, of a young orphan wandering the streets, and the list goes on.In each of the threads, which for the most parts are independent of one another, Nandita Das weaves very moving stories and crafts very interesting characters to function within each story, either serving as a mouthpiece for keen observations, or highlighting very deep rooted fears. The film doesn't flinch from making harsh criticisms or statements through dialogues and interactions between characters, and Das manages to paint characters on both sides of the equation, some exhibiting bad behaviour even when confronting their prejudices or when confronted by their fears. If I could draw a parallel to an established film that Firaaq gets close to, then it will be Paul Haggis' Oscar winner Crash.One can imagine the human rights violations committed during the tense period, and it's quite natural to see how the outcome of such violations through the mob mentality, affect the common man even after the tumultuous period had passed over, because deep inside, we all know that some prejudice are hard to eradicate. I thought the story of Sameer and Anu was one of the most striking of the lot, and most enduring as well, though with each protection dished out by the wife, the husband feels more insecure about his manhood. Some of the most direct and pointed conversations happen when they are on screen, especially how one's inherent self-preservation mechanism kicks in and would go through anything as extreme as a name change to avoid another extreme such as being stripped to verify identities.The final act was actually quite chilling, and I felt it could cut either way, depending on your outlook. One, that it is of hope, that with the next generation lies opportunity to bury the past and forge a new future ahead filled with better understanding, and the appreciation that such violence should never occur again. On the other hand, it reminds of how impressionable a young mind is, and through the wandering within a camp, taking in the sights of the aftermath of atrocities committed, that the seeds of revenge could have been innately planted, and being ready for improper indoctrination for further atrocities to be committed, some time in the future. It's extremely difficult, but not impossible, to break the stranglehold that violence begets more violence.For a rookie director, I feel that Nandita Das has demonstrated that she has what it takes to join the illustrious ranks of female Indian directors in telling very mature stories through assured technique. Firaaq is a shining example, and I hope to see more of her directorial work again soon. Definitely a highly recommended movie in these troubled times of ours, to hold a mirror up against oneself, for some serious self-examination within.

This movie takes place in the aftermath of the 2002 Gujarat riots between Hindus and Muslims in which the majority of the deaths were Muslim. I saw this movie at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival.It is difficult to make a movie dealing with such topics which would not be so unpleasant that people would be unable to sit through it. This movie succeeds by creating a good story and a number of very distinctive and fascinating characters. It not only has a serious message it's a very absorbing drama.There are a few story lines being juggled effectively here. You are taken into the home of a Muslim man in a mixed marriage, the burnt-out home of a Muslim widow and even the home of a man who actively participated in the atrocities. You'll see a group of young Muslim men who become fired up seeking revenge, although ultimately fail in unexpected comedic fashion. And most tragically you see an orphaned boy walking alone through the city.The movie is also hopeful. Late in the movie the Muslim man married to a Hindu woman, who had already admitted to being a coward, decides stop hiding behind his Hindu sounding name and declares his true religious identity to a hassling police officer. There are other examples of this same kind of hope.However the movie finishes with a dramatic warning. It ends on the face of the young boy who had been wandering the city. His innocent face fills the screen. The face is so benign, but his eyes had seen so much violence. It forces you to wonder what type of man this child will become. Then the screen goes black. I must admit I found the ending rather chilling.